Zaira's POV
Without wasting any more time, we sprinted off, my claws ready at any time. I didn't give a damn whether my steps were quiet or not. I just wanted to get away from here. All my senses were on the warriors of hell, as soon as there was even a slight change in the air I would know. But we were spared.
We ran along a river and the strong current seemed to be in as much haste as we were. My gaze darted down, analyzing the dark green, filthy river for a certain scaly glow. But I couldn't find any snakes in it.
Without getting distracted any more, I was refocusing on avoiding the trees and their roots when I heard a scream. Cold pinpricks traveled down my spine.
"They found us!"
Arya gave me an alarmed look. "Come faster. We'll be there soon."
My hair flapped in the wind and caught on branches and leaves, but I ignored it, like all the other twigs tearing my skin. I was too scared to see the stone in time and stumbled. My feet slipped on the damp earth and I could already see the hard waves of the river coming towards me when at the last moment I grabbed onto a root and prevented my entire body from splashing lengthwise into the river.
The air became more and more stuffy and I saw several dark beings floating towards us in the distance, their white eyes shining brightly in the night.
I swung my other hand up and tried to grab the root. When I got a hold of her, I dug my claws deep inside her and tried to pull myself up with a croak. My feet felt the earth wall, looking for footing, but it was too slippery. I slipped again and my hand slipped and my feet dipped under the surface of the water. Despite the freezing cold that was building in the jungle, beads of sweat collected on my forehead and fell into my eyes.
I heard the whole forest creaking and complaining about the presence of the demons, the plants were all slowly dying.
Screaming, I kicked my feet and tried to lift them out of the water when slippery, scaly skin touched me. The root that I was holding on to loosened more and more from the ground and let me sink even lower.
Suddenly someone grabbed me and violently pulled me upstairs. My legs scraped against the rocky wall of earth and I groaned.
"Hurry now!" Arya rebuked me.
I quickly got to my wobbly legs and gasped a thank you . A quick glance behind told me that they would catch up with us soon and I grabbed Arya and ran with her.
Even though adrenaline made my legs run twice as fast as usual, it wasn't enough. I could feel the warriors of hell behind us, their thin fingers reaching out and trying to drain our energy.
As I continued to sprint, Arya drew her bow, turned in a flash, and fired two arrows at once. Judging by the angry screeching, they must have reached their destination, but that wouldn't hold them back.
My wolf raged in fear inside and pushed to the surface. I pushed her back and locked her even deeper, I couldn't let her free. I needed my hands.
A rough, cold hand gripped my shoulders and forced me backward. I stumbled backwards.
"Let go of me!" I yelled, lashing out like a wild wolf. I tried to get rid of him, but the demon grabbed me with both hands, turned me to him, and poked his pointed fingernails into my shoulder blades. My shoulder , as well as my arms went numb and his claws in my skin burned like hell.
I impulsively lifted my leg and roughly kicked him. He swayed briefly, lost his balance and loosened his grip. I take the opportunity and tear myself away. Which only made the demon angrier. He jumped forward, grabbed my head and shrieked.
I screamed, writhing in pain. I covered my ears tightly as I felt them explode. Blood ran out of them and soaked my fingers.
Then his scream stopped abruptly. Creepers made their way up his legs and wrapped themselves around his body in a flash. His eyes bulged as the plants squeezed and he made a choked sound. His hands fell limply from my head and he sank to the floor.
"Nah, how do you like that hmm?!" Arya sneered. Crouching in a tree, she guided the plants with her outstretched arms. Then her gaze swayed to me. "Now Sarah!"
I woke up from my rigid state, but my heart was pounding in my throat, so I still didn't dare to move.
"Come on!" Arya's expression tightened and she clenched her fists. "I can't hold demon much longer."
I shook my head and looked at my claws. I knew what to do. He was still on the ground but fighting like hell against the plants. Its claws cut through their nooses and new ones could not take their place fast enough. His body bucked and he tossed his head as if possessed by the devil. If I didn't rip his heart out fast enough, he would get free and kill us.
My shoulders straightened, but then his gaze pierced mine and the smoke silhouetted against him, heading straight for me. The plants spoiled instantly and he got to his feet. Undeterred, I ran straight into the smoke trying to shake off the oppressive cold and numbness.
The tree behind him wrapped its thick branches around his body. He shrieked, hands flailing through the air trying to get me. I flinched, feeling my limbs slowly weaken as the black smoke curled around me, trying to drain my energy. The branches creaked and slowly fell apart.
I clenched my teeth tightly. My first impulse was to curl up and put my hands protectively over my head. But I fight the tempting desire, too much was at stake.
Come on Zaira, you are stronger than this! I focused my will into an Inner Shield, imagining it surrounding my body.
"Now!" Arya yelled, and an arrow shot into his body. I roared, lunged at him, and forcefully drove my paw into his chest, snapping through his ribs. There was a crack of bones and my hand clawed at his insides , until I grabbed the beating heart and pulled it out with a screaming jerk.
In the background I could hear the demon's agonizing sound, but I just stared at the black heart in my hand. It was slippery and the mucus dripped off my hands while it was still throbbing. Bum Bum. Bum Bum.
The Hell Warrior's hand gripped my wrist and clawed tight as if to drag me into the darkness with it. But he dissolved in front of me, as did the heart on my palm.
I breathed heavily, my gaze fixed on the empty space in front of me. Done.
"Ahhhhh!" Arya's scream echoed through the jungle and my limbs clenched in horror.